Cruise control and assisted parking are most baffling car technology features

17 April 2023 , 10:33

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Three in ten drivers don't feel comfortable using all the gadgets their car has to offer (Image: Twenty47 Studios/Getty Images)

Four in ten drivers feel they are not making the most of their cars – as technology like cruise control, assisted parking, and assisted braking leave them feeling baffled.

More than half of motorists (55%) admit they didn't even realise their car came with certain features – such as lane assist (18%) or blind spot alert (19%) – until they had owned it for six months.

Over two-thirds (68%), of the 500 car owners polled, who have a motor that is less than two years old, admit they struggle to fully understand everything that their car can do – from sports mode and electronic handbrakes, to connecting to Bluetooth devices, or wireless smartphone connectivity.

And although nearly three-quarters (73%) of those polled describe themselves as tech savvy, 31% say they do not feel confident using some of the modern gadgets in their own vehicles.

The research was commissioned by Hyundai, which has also created a quiz to expose the untapped potential of modern technology in new cars, and give drivers the knowledge they need to make their car-owning experience more pleasurable.

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Further research of 500 new car drivers also found people are most likely to use car tech when it’s integrated into their driving routines.

And in the future, motorists would like to see new tech that helps with comfort (48%), followed by safety (40%), entertainment (33%), navigation (31%), and self-driving (23%).

It also emerged that, for 86% of drivers, their car is their most expensive tech purchase – and those under 40 are significantly more likely to want more comfort in their car, compared to older people, while 52% of under-30s desire more in-car entertainment.

Dr Martha Newson, cognitive psychologist who facilitated the consumer study, said: “With any car purchase being one of life's bigger spends, drivers should take more time understanding the tech available at their fingertips, so they don't miss out on safer, more comfortable, and more pleasurable experiences, every time they get in the car.

“We’ve proven that over half of drivers are missing out on this experience, and that’s why we want to bring this issue to light.

“I’ve been working with Hyundai to create this quiz to help drivers gauge how tech savvy they are, and show them how to change their relationship with technology for a better overall driving and ownership experience.”

It also emerged that it took an average of three-and-a-half months before owners got used to their car's technology – with more than one in ten (13%) not realising it came with features like lane assist and cruise control.

However, eight in ten like having the option to use advanced tech in their car – as it makes life easier for 55%, and leaves 39% feeling safer.

And a third (34%) of those polled, via OnePoll.com, are so used to driving a modern car, they could never drive an older model again.

Ashley Andrew, president of Hyundai Motor UK, added: “It is interesting to see the divide between tech adoption in our wider lifestyle choices, and that in our vehicles.

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“We want to empower all drivers to embrace the technology available to them, and seize the opportunity to engage with our innovative tech, for a more pleasurable experience.”

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